Members of Parliament should observe strict guidelines while accepting foreign hospitality during private visits abroad and obtain prior permission of the central government, according to fresh orders issued Thursday. The series of notifications were issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. One of them requires MPs to follow the norms including the Code of Ethics, which mandates them not to take gifts that may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties. These guidelines come at a time when the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha has recommended expulsion of TMC member Mohua Moitra in the bribe-for-query row. Moitra has been accused of accepting illegal gratifications from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to raise questions in Parliament. The norms said all invitations from any foreign source are expected to be routed through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In case such an invitation is received directly, MPs are required to bring it to the notice of the MEA and necessary political clearance of that ministry should also be obtained for the purpose. Another notification stated that MPs are required to obtain prior permission from the Central Government for accepting any foreign hospitality during their private visits abroad or visits abroad in their personal capacity, under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. MPs are also advised that their applications for acceptance of foreign hospitality must reach the Ministry of Home Affairs at least two weeks before the proposed date of onward journey. MPs should satisfy themselves about the credentials of the organization/institution extending the hospitality before accepting it. MP’s visit abroad information should be sent to the secretary-general at least 3 weeks in advance so that the MEA and the Indian mission/post concerned could be informed. Members are also requested to e-mail their itineraries to the Joint Secretary, in-charge of Conference & Protocol Section. The Code of Ethics reiterated that Parliamentarians must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility. MPs should work to advance general well-being of the people and maintain high standards of morality, dignity, decency, and values in public life. The Code also stated that MPs should not take a gift which may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties and should resolve conflicts between personal interests and public trust in a manner that their private interests are subordinated to the duty of their public office. MPs should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate family do not come in conflict with the public interest. Members should not expect or accept any fee, remuneration or benefit for any parliamentary activities. Confidential information owing to their being MPs or Members of Parliamentary Committees should not be disclosed for advancing personal interests. MPs should not misuse facilities and amenities made available to them and should work for the promotion of secular values.